The piece argues that South Africa's scrappy 17-10 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires reveals more vulnerabilities than strengths ahead of the Greatest Rivalry series. With 15 front-liners absent and five starters returning from eight months off the field, the Boks were outplayed at fly-half, troubled by inexperienced props, and needed a Bomb Squad intervention and a Moroni fumble on the final play to escape with the win. The author's central point is that while this result offers New Zealand little reason for concern, it shouldn't cause excessive alarm in the Springbok camp either — the value was always in getting minutes into Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Etzebeth, and De Jager, and exposing fringe players who'll be needed across four Tests in four weekends. The more pressing concerns are Kolisi's second hamstring strain in a matter of weeks and what a fortnight on the training field can realistically do to sharpen an attack Erasmus himself admitted needs fixing. The piece frames the Boks' advantage as character under pressure; New Zealand's as two further warm-up games before Ellis Park.
Ugly win, useful lessons — but All Blacks have little to fear yet
A scrappy escape in Buenos Aires gives the All Blacks little to lose sleep over, but the piece argues it was never meant to be a statement — unpacking what the Boks actually gained, what still needs fixing, and why Kolisi's fitness is the real watch-point ahead of the Greatest Rivalry series.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu and the reintegration puzzle facing Erasmus in 2025
Erasmus identifies reintegrating Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Hooker from injury as a trickier selection problem than routine rotation — with a 14-Test season, individual development roadmaps, and the 2027 timeline all pulling in different directions.
Erasmus: winning stays non-negotiable, whatever the World Cup build-up demands
Erasmus has made his 2025 season intent explicit: rotation and World Cup-building happen inside a framework where winning remains the non-negotiable baseline. The piece breaks down what that means for squad management, the veterans' standing, and why the All Blacks series carries extra weight.
Erasmus welcomes clarity on Tony Brown's post-2027 departure: 'We've made the mistake in the past'
Tony Brown will join the All Blacks coaching staff in 2028 after his Springbok contract expires at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Rassie Erasmus welcoming the early clarity as SA Rugby looks to avoid the contractual uncertainty that complicated preparations for France 2023.
Tony Brown to join All Blacks backroom staff in 2028 after Springbok contract ends
NZR have confirmed Tony Brown will join the All Blacks' backroom staff in 2028 on a two-year contract, with the Springboks attack coach set to depart after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. It is the third time NZR have pursued Brown, having previously been rejected during the Foster and Robertson eras.
Alexander's blunt warning: align the calendar or lose the game
Mark Alexander is warning that the Dublin World Rugby meetings must deliver calendar alignment — concurrent Rugby Championship and Six Nations windows, dedicated club and rest periods — or the sport risks losing players to rebel competitions. New Zealand's resistance to shifting Super Rugby Pacific is the key sticking point.